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蹉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蹉cuōslip, mistake, errorv, 16 strokes, radical 足, rank #91559, Very Hard
蹉cuōto errorunknown, 16 strokes, radical 足, rank #91559, Very Hard
蹉cuōto slipunknown, 16 strokes, radical 足, rank #91559, Very Hard
蹉cuōto missunknown, 16 strokes, radical 足, rank #91559, Very Hard
蹉cuōto errunknown, 16 strokes, radical 足, rank #91559, Very Hard
cuō(cuo1) T1
  1. 1slip, mistake, error
  2. 2to error
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

蹉cuō(cuo1)

The character 蹉 (cuō) primarily means 'to slip' or 'to make a mistake.' It is often used in contexts where an error or a misstep occurs, such as in actions or decisions. This term can convey both a physical slipping and a metaphorical sense of failing to achieve something.

Strokes16Radical足Frequency#91559DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the idea of making mistakes is often linked to the concept of learning and growth. The phrase '失败是成功之母' (failure is the mother of success) emphasizes that errors are essential for achieving future success.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person trying to walk on a slippery surface and suddenly slipping and falling down. The character 蹉 resembles a person (the top part) on two legs (the bottom part), emphasizing the act of slipping. The sound 'cuō' can be remembered by thinking of 'cause' as a reason for mistakes or slips.

Meanings of 蹉

cuō(cuo1)
1slip, mistake, error
2to error
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蹉

蹉Simplified
16Strokes
足Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蹉

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Podcast: 蹉

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AI Study Notes for 蹉

Quick Contrast

错 (cuò) vs 失 (shī) — use 蹉 (cuō) specifically for physical slips or missteps, while 错 (cuò) refers more broadly to mistakes and 失 (shī) implies loss or failure.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 蹉, as it may sound too informal in serious contexts. It often collocates with words like '失误' (shīwù, error) or '机会' (jīhuì, opportunity), and the tone is crucial; mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 蹉 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can deepen your grasp of related concepts like mistakes (错误, cuòwù) and missteps (失误, shīwù). Focus on how it relates to actions that lead to errors in both speech and actions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 蹉 with 错 (cuò), which also means 'mistake.' For example, saying '我蹉了一个机会' (wǒ cuōle yīgè jīhuì) is incorrect; instead, use '我错过了一个机会' (wǒ cuòguòle yīgè jīhuì) meaning 'I missed an opportunity.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蹉

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Etymology of 蹉

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A footstep 足 in error 差; 差 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 蹉

  1. 1The giveawayA footstep 足 in error 差; 差 also provides the pronunciation
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 蹉? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 蹉?

Decomposition of 蹉

IDS Structure⿰足差
蹉Full Character
=
足ju4
left
差cha1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蹉?

How to say slip, mistake, error in Chinese

“slip, mistake, error” in Chinese is蹉cuō

The character 蹉 (cuō) primarily means 'to slip' or 'to make a mistake.' It is often used in contexts where an error or a misstep occurs, such as in actions or decisions. This term can convey both a physical slipping and a metaphorical sense of failing to achieve something.

When to use 蹉

Be cautious when using 蹉, as it may sound too informal in serious contexts. It often collocates with words like '失误' (shīwù, error) or '机会' (jīhuì, opportunity), and the tone is crucial; mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.

蹉 or something close to it

错 (cuò) vs 失 (shī) — use 蹉 (cuō) specifically for physical slips or missteps, while 错 (cuò) refers more broadly to mistakes and 失 (shī) implies loss or failure.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 蹉 with 错 (cuò), which also means 'mistake.' For example, saying '我蹉了一个机会' (wǒ cuōle yīgè jīhuì) is incorrect; instead, use '我错过了一个机会' (wǒ cuòguòle yīgè jīhuì) meaning 'I missed an opportunity.'

Write 蹉

蹉

Practice writing 蹉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 蹉

Words Containing This Character3
蹉跎(literary) to slip
蹉cuōto error
日月蹉跎the years have slipped by
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 蹉跎 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蹉

Yes, 蹉 is used in both spoken and written contexts, but it may appear more in informal speech.

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